Gauchos Pull Away Late to Defeat Dirtbags in Game Two of Big West Series

Saturday, March 7

Santa Barbara, Calif.

3:05 p.m.

Long Beach State University

4-10, 0-2

UC Santa Barbara

11-2, 2-0

Long Beach St.

UC Santa Barbara

Gauchos Pull Away Late to Defeat Dirtbags in Game Two of Big West Series

3/7/2026 6:44:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Despite an early lead behind starting pitcher Luke Howe, the Long Beach State Dirtbags could not hold off a late rally from UC Santa Barbara, falling 7-4 Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.

By: Cianna Smith-Andrews, Assistant Director, Athletic Communications

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Long Beach State Dirtbags (4-10, 0-2 Big West) once again jumped out to an early lead, but UC Santa Barbara (11-2, 2-0 Big West) used a late three-run eighth inning to secure a 7-4 victory Saturday afternoon at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium in the second game of the opening Big West Conference series.

Long Beach State struck first in the top of the opening inning. Trevor Goldenetz worked a leadoff walk and Jake Evans followed with a single up the middle before Trotter Enright lined a double to right-center field, driving in both runners to give the Dirtbags a 2-0 advantage.

UC Santa Barbara answered in the second inning when Noah Karliner launched a solo home run to left field to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Gauchos took the lead in the third inning as Nick Husovsky doubled home Xavier Esquer before Jonathan Mendez followed with a ground-rule double that plated two runs to make it 4-2.

The Dirtbags chipped away in the fourth inning. Camden Gasser singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Evans, trimming the deficit to one run. Long Beach State tied the game in the sixth inning when Aaron Perez doubled to right field and later scored on an RBI single up the middle from Goldenetz, evening the score at 4-4.

Both teams remained locked in a tight battle until the eighth inning when UCSB broke the game open. Jonathan Mendez singled and advanced on a wild pitch before scoring on another wild pitch to give the Gauchos the lead. Moments later, Colin Beazizo connected on a two-run home run to right-center field, extending the lead to 7-4.

Freshman right-hander Luke Howe started for Long Beach State and delivered six innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out seven. Caleb Anderson (0-2) took the loss after surrendering the go-ahead run in relief before Ka'imi Kahalekai allowed the two-run homer later in the inning.

Raymond Olivas earned the win for UC Santa Barbara, closing out the final 1.1 innings after taking over in the eighth inning.

Trevor Goldenetz led the Dirtbags with two hits, an RBI and a run scored while reaching base three times. Trotter Enright added a two-run double in the first inning and finished with two RBIs, while Jake Evans collected a hit and an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Aaron Perez contributed a double and scored a run, and Camden Gasser added a hit and a run scored as Long Beach State totaled eight hits in the contest.

The series will conclude Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. on the road at Caesar Uyesaka Stadium.